…and we’re live!

I am happy to say that my latest website project has officially launched. It was project near and dear to my heart – creating a new website for BBBlooms, my favourite floral studio located in one of my favourite places, historic downtown St. Catharines.

It all began with the days of my good friend Amanda working there. I spent many lunch breaks popping in for visits. Since then it has become my go-to place for hilarious cards, pretty flowers, cute decor and always a nice little chat. Check out the new and improved site. I hope you like it! www.bbblooms.ca

PR + literature = perfect!

It feels like so long ago that I was reading all types of literature, writing papers and learning some really fascinating stuff. Back in my Brock University days, I completed a Degree in English Language and Literature, and loved every second of it.

Today, I find myself emerged in the world of Communications and PR so it’s nice to have a little throw back every now and then. One of my favourite professors, Gregory Betts, was recently in Toronto for a literature event. What better way to revisit my past! In the quaint, comfy back room of The Ossington I enjoyed an evening of Plunderverse and poetry in/of advanced Mathematics. There was also an AvantFeatures Open Mic.

What I found most interesting was the topic of social media and the internet. It came up again and again in many of the works – poems created with the input of Facebook friends, poems created from Google’s auto search. 

I always thought of the literature world as being separate from the overwhelming world of social media, and was a bit disappointed that it crept into my PR-free night. But after attending the event and engaging in some good conversation, it all makes sense. Social media is so relevant. It is what we are talking about and living on a daily basis. It only makes sense that literature would address our relationship with it.

So the next time you’re tweeting keep in mind, someone might be turning it into Twitterature!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

I love Christmas. In fact, I would consider myself a Christmas nut. There is just something about this time of year that makes me giddy.

This year, I am in Toronto so I am especially looking forward to heading home for the holidays. In the meantime I am keeping myself busy with shopping, wrapping, baking and decorating. My once pastel apartment is full of greens and reds, and I love it.

 

My Christmas tree is extra special – it belonged to my great nana. I spruced up its Charlie Brownness with vintage clip-on earrings and broaches I’ve collected throughout the years. It is perfect.

Last weekend, I hosted a very Christmassy dinner for a few of my favourite TO friends. It was my first time making a tofurkey and all the fixings. While I could definitely live without the tofurkey I think it was a great success!

Now that I have my very own place, I am making new traditions and holding on to the ones that are near and dear. Most of all, I am looking forward to spending time with family and friends.

However you celebrate, I hope you have a very happy holiday season, and a prosperous 2011.

Just call me Martha

I have always had a love for interior design. In fact, I even considered taking it up as a career, but since I have a job that I’m happy in I figure I can keep it up on the side and have the best of both worlds. First stop: my apartment!

I live in a one bedroom, art deco, three storey walk-up. It is fully equipped with hardwood floors, beautiful moldings, cute radiators and all the charms that were high on my wish list. It wasn’t hard to make it my own, even the wall colours were already perfect.

I love anything and everything vintage so my apartment is full of it. Most came from my Nana’s house, some from my mom, and several solid finds in some of my favourite vintage shops and flea markets. With a pastel colour scheme, lots of florals and (of course) touches of damask, it is a palace fit for me and I couldn’t be happier!

My most recent purchase was a gorgeous 1960s vintage sideboard from England. This new piece became a little project for me – what to hang above it, what to put on it.

The thing about decorating is that I can go on forever. There’s always a cute little something to add here, or a pretty little something to add there. Sooner or later it will be juuust right, but until then I am enjoying every minute.

Making up for lost time

Well, I haven’t blogged in a very long time and so much has changed. Let me bring you up to speed…

This past summer, I was offered a job with the communications unit at Citizenship and Immigration Canada (where I did my placement in the spring of 2009). Excited for the new opportunity, I packed my bags and made the move to Toronto. Needless to say, it was hard to leave Niagara – family, friends, the Niagara 1812 Legacy Council – but change is good. I always felt like I had unfinished business with this city, and am so happy to be back.

There is so much to do and see in Toronto. I have been keeping very busy…working lots, and hitting the streets every chance I get. The variety here is my favourite thing. I’ve also met some new friends, and am getting the chance to catch up with old ones. Weekend visitors are always a bonus! I am madly in love with my apartment (more to come on that another time).

Work is great and I’m learning a lot. Mostly working on internal communications, I’ve been working on a few online projects from my placement. I’ve also attended a variety of ministerial events and citizenship ceremonies, offering media support.

If you would have asked me where I’d be in a year from now I never could have guessed it would be here. Somehow it feels just right.

Coccinelle: Custom clothing with a vintage twist

I recently had the pleasure of working with a talented, creative woman to create a website for her vintage inspired clothing line. France Pelletier and her daughters, Jennifer and Lee-Anne, have teamed together to create Coccinelle – Custom clothing with a vintage twist.

What I love most about the products are the fabrics!! There are soooo many gorgeous, vintage patterns to choose from. I also love the story behind it. Mothers and daughters working together to create beautiful pieces. Patterns from more than 30 years ago begin passed along and carried on! There are items for children and adults as well as many great accessories. I already even ordered my headband!

When you see the site and the samples of France’s work the love and time she puts into each item is obvious. You can also see the love her family shares. All the pictures were done by her daughters or nieces and they all feature family members, little and big!

Coccinelle is the French word for ladybug, a symbol of good luck. I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to work on this fun project and I know that France and her girls will be successful with this great endeavour. Although I’m sure luck isn’t required – the talent and quality speak for it – it’s nice to have a little ladybug or two behind you!

Spring is in the air!

I’ll be the first to say that I’ve been behind in blogging lately, but I think I have a legitimate excuse – spring is in the air!!

Maybe it’s because I was living in Toronto last spring, but I am noticing the signs of spring in a somewhat magical way this year. Even my generic, cookie-cutter subdivision (yes, I still miss my old house!) looks pretty. Everything is so natural, so colourful, so full!! The versions of pinks and purples I have seen blossoming lately amazes me. This past weekend I went on a wine tour in Niagara-on-the-Lake with my favourite ladies. As we were driving along the Niagara Parkway I could help but think, wow, we’re so luck to live right here.

Most of all I have been noticing the trees. I think this all began with a visit to the Art Gallery of Hamilton. I saw the most amazing tree made of rope suspended about an inch off the floor. Although artificial, there was something so whimsical and beautiful about it. Now I find myself checking out trees all the time.

I still stand behind that fact that winter is my favourite season…but I’ll also admit nothing beats spring after a long and cold winter!! Everything is a little sunnier and little prettier and a little nicer. My favourite place to spend an afternoon is Montebello park – a gathering place for anyone and everyone who loves this gorgeous time of year. I suggest you check it out. Happy spring!

The past is looking brighter

I was recently lucky enough to be interviewed for IABC Golden Horseshoe newsletter. Executive member and editor, Ken Cherney, stumbled upon my blog and got in touch. I had the chance to fill my fellow communicators in on my experiences with the Niagara 1812 Bicentennial Legacy Council.

Check out the April 2010 issue here. You can find me on page three.

 

1812 and the Arts

While I am by no means an artist of any kind, I enjoy being creative. I excelled in drama in school both on stage and behind the scenes. I took jazz and ballet as a kid. I love creative writing and design. While attending Centennial College my friend Danielle always focused her Communications efforts on the arts. (You can read more about it in her blog, Art Gander). Already a bit of an art enthusiast myself, I found this very inspiring and it opened my eyes to many art initiatives in Toronto.

Now that I’m back in Niagara I have been trying to keep up with things going on in the area. Luckily, working for the Niagara 1812 Bicentennial Legacy Council often provides me that opportunity. My boss, Vince Del Buono, is an art enthusiast himself. His own collection of Nigerian art was recently featured in an exhibition at the Niagara Art Centre in downtown St. Catharines. Art and culture have become one of the priorities of the Legacy Council and I am so excited that many of the projects that I’m working on have an art twist.

In particular, I am excited about the upcoming symposium we are hosting, Creating 1812: Commemoration, National Identity and Role of the Arts in Hamilton on April 23 and 24. I think it’s pretty cool how the history of the War of 1812 can be applied to the Arts.

Whether you’re an artist or an art enthusiast the event is shaping up to be a great learning experience. So many great workshops are being offered and the list of presenters is impressive (especially key note speaker and well-known Canadian actor/director, RH Thomson).

In particular, I have been working to shape the workshop on drama. This has put me in touch with many interesting people including the moderator, Ron Weihs who is the Artistic Director of the Artwood Theatre in Hamilton and has a produced a variety of historical plays. He will be presenting, along with the creators of an 1812 musical “Manifest Destinty” and members of the Lewiston Council on the Arts. (If you’re interested check out more program details and registration information at www.discover1812.com.)

All the art initiatives that are taking place for the Bicentennial are so inspiring…and after the symposium I’m sure there will be may more great ideas and projects in the works! It is always a pleasure working on projects I believe in. This is definitely one of them.

These are a few of my favourite things…

A random list of 10 things that make me smile, just because.

1. Pearls. So classic.
2. Damask. Hundreds of version, endless possibilities.
3. Mr. Darcy (especially played by Colin Firth).
4. Sex and the City & Lipstick Jungle. Best shows about best friends.
5. Pigeon pose in yoga.
6. Carnations. Pretty, full & last forever.
7. Lavender. Anything really.
8. Canadian lit. I love Atwood.
9. Music (of all kinds), not quite sure what I’d do without it.
10. Chocolate covered pretzels…what a delicious combo.